Please attribute to Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow:
In November 2023, Tauranga Police launched a homicide investigation after Harley Shrimpton was killed at a rural property in Poripori Road, Lower Kaimai, Tauranga.
He had been missing since he was kidnapped on 3 November 2023 and a missing person report was filed with Police by his whānau.
In January 2024, 23-year-old Tauranga man Piripi Tukaokao was charged with murder, kidnapping and other related offences. He is remanded in custody and will be appearing in Hamilton High Court in November 2025.
We know that there were others who assisted the defendant and we are continuing to follow positive lines of enquiry.
It is crucial that all those responsible in relation to Harley’s death are held to account.
It’s now been over 14 months since Harley was found and since then a dedicated Police team has continued with enquiries and are closely analysing new information.
We continue to speak with people close to the investigation and have not ruled out laying further charges against others who may have been involved.
On behalf of Police and Harley’s whānau, I want to acknowledge the significant public support shown over the last year, to thank everyone who has come forward with information during the course of the investigation, and to urge anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Police and tell us what you know.
Information can be passed to Police via our 105 phone service, or by going online to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 and using ‘Update Report’, referencing file number 231117/9085.
Alternatively, information can be passed to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org.
Strength in numbers is what gathered many at the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation hall recently. Many are workers for Delta Air Lines in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul, and they all could agree on one thing – costs for everyday living are getting out of hand.
“No matter what part of the plane you’re at, eggs cost the same, rent costs the same, no matter what part of the plane you’re working on,” said Marcia Howard, President of the Minnesota Federation of Teachers. “Collectively, how are we going to stand? Side to side, shoulder to shoulder, and I am telling you, it’s going to be here.”
A packed union hall already had many standing side to side, shoulder to shoulder, just to hear speakers.
WATCH:Delta workers push for a vote to unionize in MNKARE-TV Minneapolis
U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum and Campaign Manager Raquel Sidie-Wagner for U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, spoke about how powerful and mighty a union could be for Delta ramp, cargo, and tower workers, who are organizing with the IAM Union, and their siblings who are Delta flight attendants, organizing with the AFA-CWA, across the country.
The push is on to ensure that union authorization cards signed are less than one year old.
“As long as you keep fighting you’re gonna win. We are absolutely going to win,” IAM Associate Organizer Tiffany Lopez told the prospective members.
She, along with other organizers working on the Delta organizing campaign, put this rally together to keep people together and focused on what a unionized Delta workforce could accomplish.
“There is nothing wrong with wanting more,” said Lopez. “There is nothing wrong with needing and demanding the respect you deserve.”
Rob LaVigne, a Delta ramp worker in Minneapolis, spoke to the crowd as his daughter, Aubrielle, looked on.
“Sweetie, I am going to say some words. Don’t repeat them,” said LaVigne.
He asked if anyone in the hall thinks it’s fair that Delta’s healthcare coverage, which covers his daughter, has changed three times in the past four years.
“I am going to talk about respect,” said LaVgine. “Do you feel respected by Delta Air Lines? Respect is not fearing that you are going to lose your full time schedule every six months because the company wants to make $4.7 billion in profit, instead of $4.6 billion. They come to the ramp to make cuts.”
“It’s not a movement trying to crush the company into oblivion,” said LaVigne. “We’re trying to raise up this airline and raise up the workers that made the airline.”
“A strong union makes company management better,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “If the company’s relationship with their workers has power and meaning, they have to respect that workforce when decisions are made. These workers are trying to organize so that they have power and a voice on the job. I am so proud that the IAM is helping with that movement.”
Amanda Goodman Berry knows what it’s like to try to move Delta management to make change. As a Delta ramp worker in Minneapolis, she championed a campaign to update a company MLK Day video including not only his “I Have A Dream Speech,” but the foundation of his work building up the working class and standing for worker rights.
“Dr. King was organizing sanitation workers back in 1968 [hours before his assassination], so I invited Delta to match their words to what they were saying,” said Goodman Berry. “The solidarity of the various people that came out today was very important to us. This was a powerhouse of leaders, groups, and people supporting the [Delta] ramp know that we will 100% get to the finish line with the IAM, and the IAM has given us unwavering support.”
It’s a numbers game, and for Delta ramp, cargo and tower, along with flight attendants – it’s game on.
TAMPA, Fla. – On Jan. 30, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria targeting and killing Muhammad Salah al-Za’bir, a senior operative in the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din (HaD), an Al-Qaeda affiliate.
Production begins at CH4 Global’s first full-scale EcoPark
ADELAIDE, Australia – January 30, 2024 – CH4 Global, Inc., will today officially open phase one of its first full-scale EcoPark, where it has begun to grow and process Asparagopsis in 10 large-scale cultivation ponds with a combined capacity of 2 million litres – capable of producing 80 metric tonnes of the seaweed each year.
Over the next year, the facility will expand to 100 ponds capable of producing enough Asparagopsis to serve 45,000 cattle per day – a significant step toward meeting demand from CH4 Global’s existing commercial partners in Australia and beyond. With additional investment, the facility could eventually expand to 500 ponds capable of serving hundreds of thousands of cattle per day.
Built at Louth Bay, 23km south of Port Lincoln on Eyre Peninsula, the EcoPark consists of research and development facilities, a seedling hatchery, patented in-land growth ponds, and harvesting and drying technologies to convert Asparagopsis into CH4 Global’s Methane Tamer products – allowing end-to-end production.
The EcoPark will sustainably grow methane-reducing Asparagopsis at scale. Asparagopsis, which is a red seaweed native to South Australia, drastically reduces methane emissions from cows by up to 90 per cent.
CH4 Global founder and Chief Executive Dr Steve Meller said the EcoPark was the first commercial facility of its kind, enabling the scalable propagation of Asparagopsis to meet the needs of feedlots under contract. CH4 Global’s system delivers consistent, high-quality production at a fraction of the cost, enabling profitability throughout the value chain without government subsidies.
With its proprietary pond-based system, CH4 Global aims to reduce production costs by up to 90 per cent compared to conventional tank-based methods, enabling rapid scaling while positioning CH4 Global to deliver its feed supplement at a price point that ensures profitability throughout the agricultural value chain.
“The EcoPark allows us to now grow Asparagopsis at-scale, providing more Methane Tamer to the feedlots and farmers we are already working with, and to meet the needs of the increasing number of organisations contacting us to help them change the feeding habits of their cows as we start bending the climate curve,” Dr Meller said.
“We are well and truly working towards eliminating one billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and reaching 150 million cattle by 2030 through our local and international partnerships with feedlots and farmers, and it’s fantastic to see beef from these cows hitting shelves in Australia and heading overseas.”
Dr Meller said the Louth Bay EcoPark was an essential step on the climate journey and would be positive for the Eyre Peninsula community and economy.
CH4 Global has committed to preventing the creation of one gigatonne of CO2 emissions by 2032.
To do so, CH4 Global needs to reach 150 million cattle —10 per cent of the world’s total.“Along with supporting farmers in South Australia, Queensland and overseas to reduce emissions, we’re working closely with the Eyre Peninsula community by having worked with local contractors to build the EcoPark, sourcing local materials and providing regional jobs.”
CH4 Global has also been working with First Nations communities across South Australia, including with the planting of native species and on a land management plan, and providing a gathering space on-site.
CH4 Global has implemented a sustainable design framework for Louth Bay and future EcoParks, guiding the use and management of energy and natural resources, waste and GHG emissions, and efficient use of eco-friendly materials.
As part of its sustainable design framework, CH4 Global has remediated the 14ha site and will be responsible for 13km of beach. Remediation has included removing 5,000 tonnes of concrete tanks – crushed and recycled; 11.76 tonnes of HDPE to be recycled in Adelaide, 10 tonnes of plastic aquaculture trays and other plastic equipment for filtering water and other purposes, which have been rehomed and reused within the community; and sent five tonnes of steel to recycling.
About CH4 Global
CH4 Global, founded in 2018, is on an urgent mission to bend the climate curve, through collaboration with strategic partners worldwide. We deliver market-disruptive products that enable the food industry value chain to radically reduce GHG emissions.
The company’s first innovation, Methane Tamer feed additives for feedlot cattle, harnesses the power of Asparagopsis seaweed to reduce enteric methane emissions by up to 90 per cent.
An Auckland woman has been fined $25,245 and an Auckland man has been ordered to do 300 hours’ community work for the illegal slaughter and sales of pigs.
Following a successful investigation and prosecution by New Zealand Food Safety, Suli Rachael Rejoice Adimim (43) and Bruce Baru Luke Vunipola (38) were both sentenced in the Papakura District Court on 29 January on 7 charges under the Animal Products Act, and one charge under the Animal Welfare Act.
“This so-called homekill business was not registered as required under the Animal Products Act, meaning they were operating without a risk management programme,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general, Vincent Arbuckle.
“By failing to do this, they avoided meeting vital checks and balances in our food safety system that are there to keep consumers safe.
“While someone buying one of these pigs may have considered it a great deal, their health was potentially put at risk because of the pair’s illegal behaviour.”
Following a complaint from a member of the public in July 2022 – concerning the welfare of pigs on a farm and claims they had seen farmers killing and selling pigs – an animal welfare inspector visited the property and spoke with Mr Vunipola. They observed butchering facilities and a whiteboard with the names of customers and details on pigs sold. This visit led to a wider investigation, which included a covert food safety investigator buying a live pig that would be killed on site for $310 cash in October 2022.
In November 2022, Mr Vunipola was served a Notice of Direction under the Animal Products Act prohibiting him from operating as a homekill provider as he did not have a registered risk management programme. He was provided education and information on how to operate legally, which he acknowledged understanding.
However, food safety investigators found the illegal slaughter and selling of pigs continued when another covert investigator was offered a pig for sale in November by Mr Vunipola’s associate, Ms Adimim, for which the food safety investigator paid $220 cash. Ms Adimim was served the same Notice of Direction as Mr Vunipola, but investigators found the sales continued, and charges were laid against the pair.
“This was an organised operation. During the period of investigation, it was found they illegally sold 222 pigs and 4 sheep, for which they earned nearly $60,000,” says Mr Arbuckle.
“The majority of operators in New Zealand follow the rules and understand the importance of doing so to keep consumers safe.
“When we find evidence of people deliberately flouting the law, we take action and there are consequences as we’ve seen from the court’s response.”
Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 008 333.
For further information and general enquiries, emailinfo@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Republican Governors Association Chair Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued the following statement after Doug Burgum was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the Secretary of the Interior.
“Congratulations to our new Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum! Secretary Burgum will bring innovative solutions, common sense, and pragmatic leadership to the Department of the Interior.
“Republican governors look forward to working with President Trump and Secretary Burgum to maximize the responsible use of America’s natural resources, and unleash American energy.”
ALBUQUERQUE – A federal jury in New Mexico has found Robert Haack guilty of wire fraud, mail fraud, and violating the Indian Arts and Crafts Act for selling counterfeit Charles Loloma jewelry on eBay, following a 4-day trial that concluded after approximately 4 hours of deliberation.
Charles Loloma is one of the most well-known Native American jewelry-makers of the 20th century. Today, his work is featured in many galleries and museums across the southwest. His authentic pieces can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that Haack engaged in a sophisticated scheme to defraud buyers by creating counterfeit Loloma jewelry pieces in his California home and selling them for several thousands of dollars per piece on eBay. As part of the investigation into Haack, undercover federal agents purchased two pieces, pictured below, from him off of eBay in order to have them analyzed for authenticity.
Loloma’s niece, Verma Nequatewa, a jeweler who studied under her famous uncle, examined the two pieces purchased from Haack by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agents and testified at trial that they were fakes.
The jury was also presented with evidence seized from Haack‘s home, including raw materials for jewelry-making, unfinished Loloma-style jewelry, engraving tools hidden in a boot, practice Loloma signatures on metal shards, and design sketches.
It is estimated that Haack sold more than four-hundred thousand dollars’ worth of fake Loloma jewelry before he was charged. The scheme spanned several years, causing significant harm not only to the victims who were defrauded but also to Loloma’s legacy and the broader Native American art community.
“We will protect the sacred cultural heritage and unique history of authentic Native American artistry as well as consumers from scammers,” said U.S Attorney Uballez.
“Robert Haack’s counterfeit operation significantly impacted the Native American art and craft marketplace,” said Doug Ault, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. “Native American art fraud is a serious crime that exploits consumers and severely undermines the economic and cultural livelihood of Native American artists and Tribes. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is equipped with a dedicated team of special agents focused on enforcing the Indian Art and Crafts Act on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board. Through these investigations, the Service endeavors to protect and preserve the authenticity of art produced by our Nation’s Native American artisans. We thank our partners at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board for their assistance with this investigation.”
“Native American art fraud is a serious crime that exploits consumers and severely undermines the economic and cultural livelihood of Native American artists and tribes,” said Doug Ault, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. “We thank our partners at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board for their assistance with this investigation.”
“Counterfeit Indian art – like Robert Haack’s jewelry that he misrepresented and sold as made by Charles Loloma — the father of contemporary Indian jewelry — tears at the very fabric of Indian culture, livelihoods, and communities,” said Meridith Stanton, Director of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB). “The IACB by statute is responsible for administering the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA), an anti-counterfeiting law that protects Indian artists and consumers. Mr. Haack’s actions demean and rob authentic Indian artists who rely on the creation and sale of their artwork to put food on the table, make ends meet, and pass along these important cultural traditions and skills from one generation to the next. His actions undermine consumers’ confidence in the Indian art market in the Southwest and nationwide. Due to the outstanding work of the Office of the U.S. Attorney-District of New Mexico and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service IACA Investigative Unit, Mr. Haack is being held accountable and the message is clear. For those selling counterfeit Indian art and craftwork it is important to know that wherever you are we will diligently work to find you and prosecute you under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.”
Following the verdict, the Court ordered that Haack remain on conditions of release pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Haack faces up to 20 years in prison.
There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Amy Lueders, Southwest Region Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, made the announcement today.
The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Law Enforcement investigated this case with assistance from the Indians Arts and Crafts Board. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.
If you scroll through YouTube and watch sporting contests from yesteryear, one of the first things you’ll likely notice is how slow the games are compared to modern sports.
Not just the athletes’ speed (or lack of), but the pace of ball movement.
There is no universal definition of game speed, but it is often measured using metrics such as passing rate, ball velocity or average player movement speed during games.
Faster ball and average player speeds have been shown in many field sports including AFL, soccer and basketball.
Faster action followed by longer recovery breaks is the way many sports have evolved over the past few decades.
In National Hockey League ice hockey games, for example, there are around 300 player rotations (shifts) per team. Shift lengths decreased by 7% to about 45 seconds each during a 10-year period to 2010 as the game sped up.
Shorter shifts mean higher game speed before players can recover on the bench.
Spectators report a preference for fast action and seem happy to have this interrupted by longer breaks as players catch their breath.
What about speed in soccer?
I recently studied this phenomenon in World Cup soccer matches. I found passing rates and ball speed were consistently increasing for both men and women over multiple World Cup tournaments.
The study showed passing rates increased by 19% for men and 26% for women across the past nine tournaments. Average ball speed increased by 7% for men and 18% for women over the same time.
It is clear men’s and women’s soccer matches are speeding up.
The benefits of fast attacking play
The need for speed is driven by scoring benefits: if a team can move the ball often and with accuracy, this reduces the time for opposition teams to organise defensively.
Disorganised defensive structures are easier to penetrate, as gaps open among opposition players.
For example, faster passing rates in basketball have been linked to more scoring attempts and baskets scored. This is especially crucial after a turnover, when defences are poorly organised.
Faster play requires quick and precise decision-making, such as perfect timing to move to the best position to receive the ball, or to draw dangerous opposition players away from the action.
This quicker play requires delivering better skills at high speeds, such as catching or trapping the ball on the run. It involves anticipating where to move and when to react with stealth-like movements.
It also involves greater physical fitness and the ability to repeat high-intensity efforts – a fitter player can recover quicker and accumulate less fatigue. This can help the athlete use optimal power and with fewer skill errors.
On top of that, evidence shows player “density” is increasing in many field sports, which both reduces the time to react and mandates superior skills in the congested player traffic.
Accurate passing and precision timing through this crowded space is essential.
Even moving your own body through clogged space requires agility and power. Because of this, much of the training time for professionals is dedicated to games on reduced field space to improve these requirements and to refine decision-making skills.
In elite sport, those who are efficient in these areas generally remain in the sport while others fall by the wayside.
Managers in the English Premier League look for a minimal passing efficiency (finding a teammate with each pass) of 70%. Less than this can have disastrous consequences for the athlete.
Moving offensively with speed means the attacking team is also vulnerable to counterattack if they lose possession: when an attacking team turns the ball over, they, in turn, are out of (defensive) position and vulnerable to quick movement by the opposition.
So knowing when to move fast and when to progress more steadily are also key skills and regularly rehearsed.
Colliding with opposition players involves increased kinetic energy that must be absorbed by athletes’ bodies. This can result in bone fractures and concussion rates that are elevated with fast impact forces.
The increasing speed of sports could have several impacts in the future, namely in the talent identification and player recruitment space, and in women’s sports.
Due to genetic constraints, athletes generally can’t improve their speed as easily as other physical attributes like endurance or strength. This means recruiters are likely to prioritise fast athletes in a spiralling pace race.
In some sports, including our soccer study, the speed of women’s sport was found to be increasing at a faster rate than men’s.
Over a comparatively short history of professional sport, women have demonstrated dramatic and impressive gains. This may mean the speed and style of women’s sports will increasingly resemble the speed and style of the men’s games.
Kevin Norton has received funding from sporting organisations including AFL, NRL, ARU, IRB, ESL.
China’s exports to over 160 countries and regions saw growth in 2024, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC).
The country’s exports grew 7.1 percent year on year, reaching 25.45 trillion yuan (about 3.55 trillion U.S. dollars) last year, marking the eighth consecutive year of growth, according to the latest data released by the GAC.
Exports to Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia increased by 23.3 percent, 19.2 percent and 18.2 percent year on year, respectively. Exports to ASEAN countries and nations participating in the Belt and Road Initiative grew by 13.4 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, exports to traditional markets, such as the European Union and the United States, rose by 4.3 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively.
Lyu Daliang, a GAC official, said that despite growing uncertainties and challenges, China’s exports — characterized by a wide range of products — are expected to remain resilient and dynamic, supported by both incremental and existing policies.
The number of passenger trips operated by China’s urban rail transit networks in 2024 grew by around 2.8 billion, or 9.5 percent from a year earlier, official data showed.
A total of 32.24 billion passenger trips were handled by the network last year, according to the Ministry of Transport.
By Dec. 31, 2024, the total operating length of 325 urban rail transit lines across 54 Chinese cities reached 10,945.6 kilometers.
Last year, China added 748 kilometers of new rail lines, with 18 new urban rail transit lines becoming operational.
Building on the remarkable progress achieved in recent years, China’s commercial reusable rocket developers are poised to reach new heights over the next 12 months.
Guowang and Spacesail, two of China’s major low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet constellations, will have tens of thousands of satellites in orbit in the future, creating a robust market foundation for the country’s commercial launches.
Vast market demand will serve as a powerful driving force, propelling continuous innovation and breakthroughs in reusable rocket technology, while accelerating the widespread application of new technologies, materials, processes and testing methods, said Meng Xianbo, chief strategy officer of Galactic Energy, a Beijing-based rocket developer.
Galactic Energy is currently working on two types of reusable rockets. The PALLAS-1 is a two-stage reusable rocket fueled by liquid oxygen and kerosene. Weighing around 290 tonnes at launch, it can carry up to 8 tonnes to LEO. This rocket is set to make its debut flight in the first half of 2025, kicking off commercial operations with two planned missions this year.
Based on the PALLAS-1 design, the PALLAS-2 rocket features a boosted LEO payload capacity of 30 tonnes and is expected to wrap up assembly and testing in the course of 2025.
LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 rocket, meanwhile, completed a 10-kilometer vertical takeoff and landing recovery test in September 2024. This mission used a single-stage rocket with liquid oxygen and methane engines, marking the first time a Chinese rocket had completed vertical takeoff and landing recovery.
The company revealed that the Zhuque-3 rocket is slated for its inaugural launch in 2025 — with three missions planned for the year.
“These launches will deliver a combined payload capacity of around 60 tonnes, and we are targeting the successful recovery of the rocket’s first stage within these three missions,” said Zhang Changwu, CEO of LandSpace.
The commercial reusable rocket SQX-2Y, developed by i-Space, completed a vertical take-off and landing flight test on Nov. 2, 2023. Subsequently, it conducted its second flight test mission on Dec. 10, 2023.
The company said valuable data and experience gained from these two SQX-2Y flight tests will contribute to key technological innovations for its medium-to-large reusable liquid oxygen-methane launch vehicle, named SQX-3.
According to the company, the SQX-3 launch vehicle is scheduled to perform its first orbital launch and recovery test mission in December 2025.
Following the recovery of its first stage, it will undergo maintenance and inspection before being equipped with a new second stage. The rocket is then planned to conduct its first reuse flight test mission in June 2026, said Ji Haibo, deputy general manager of the company.
The maritime recovery platform for the SQX-3 rocket’s maiden flight mission commenced construction in November 2024, Ji added.
Another rocket startup, Deep Blue Aerospace, announced last year that it plans to carry out commercial suborbital flights in 2027, using the company’s reusable rocket Nebula-1.
The oxygen/kerosene-fueled Nebula-1, the company’s first reusable launch vehicle, completed 10 of the 11 key verification tasks during its first high-altitude vertical recovery flight test on Sept. 22, 2024.
The Nebula-1 rocket will conduct extensive high-altitude recovery tests in 2025 and 2026. These tests aim to verify the feasibility and stability of the technology, while also accumulating critical data for ultimate orbit entry and recovery, according to the company.
Huo Liang, founder and chairman of this company, said advancements in rocket reusability will drive down space travel costs — making it accessible to the general public rather than remaining a niche luxury.
“We look forward to sending more people to space, inspiring broader interest in cosmic exploration, and expanding humanity’s understanding of the universe,” Huo added.
Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement on X after Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) falsely claimed he did not know about Senator Blackburn’s requests to subpoena the Jeffrey Epstein flight logs when he was Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Click here to download video of Senator Blackburn’s remarks during the confirmation hearing of Federal Bureau of Investigation Director nominee Kash Patel.
Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in introducing bipartisan legislation to provide relief for impacted taxpayers in states that have issued state-level disaster declarations. Currently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has the authority to postpone filing deadlines in the event of a presidentially-declared federal disaster, but this does not extend to state-level emergencies.
“When a disaster like Hurricane Helene hits, the last thing Tennesseans should have to worry about is meeting a tax-filing deadline,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act empowers the governor to extend tax deadlines, giving Tennesseans the flexibility to focus on disaster recovery.”
“Nevadans experiencing natural disasters deserve tax relief, regardless of whether the state receives a federally recognized disaster declaration,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “My bipartisan, bicameral bill would ensure that Nevada taxpayers impacted by wildfires, winter storms, floods, and more have the financial flexibility they need to recover.”
“Louisianians have worked tirelessly to rebuild after historic storms took their toll, so giving them the time they need to file taxes after a natural disaster is a no-brainer. Since Louisiana can’t always rely on Washington to get us the relief we need when we need it, this bill would make sure that Louisianians get tax extensions that are crucial for recovering after our state declares a natural disaster. I’m glad to partner again with Sen. Cortez Masto on this effort,” said Senator Kennedy.
“When disaster strikes, the burden families face on the long road to recovery is overwhelming. This bipartisan bill provides financial flexibility for Americans impacted by disaster so they can focus on rebuilding their lives and livelihoods,” said Senator Van Hollen.
FILING RELIEF FOR NATURAL DISASTERS ACT:
The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act would allow the governor of a state or territory to extend a federal tax filing deadline in the event of a state-declared emergency or disaster, which happens automatically for federally-declared disasters. Extending this authority to states gives them the ability to provide relief independent of the federal government’s involvement in an emergency or natural disaster.
The legislation would also expand the mandatory federal filing extension from 60 days to 120 days.
Representatives David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) and Judy Chu (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The KOF Economic Barometer increases in January. After a decline in the previous month, it rises slightly to the above-average range. The outlook for the Swiss economy improves somewhat at the beginning of the year.
The KOF Economic Barometer increases by two points in January to a level of 101.6 points (after revised 99.6 in December). The majority of the production-side indicator bundles included in the KOF Economic Barometer show positive developments. Particularly, the indicator bundles for manufacturing, other services, financial and insurance services, and hospitality contribute to the increase. The construction industry indicator bundle, however, weakens. The demand-side indicator bundles included in the KOF Economic Barometer are under pressure. Both, the indicator bundles for foreign demand as well as for private consumption indicate a downward tendency.
In terms of the sub-indicators for different aspects of business activity within the producing industry (manufacturing and construction), the outlook for the sub-indicators for exports, for the assessment of production barriers, as well as for production activity is particularly favourable. The sub-indicators for order backlogs, for the competitive situation, and for the general business situation, however, experience a setback.
The developments within the manufacturing industry are mixed. The paper and printing industry as well as the metal industry are particularly under pressure. This is cushioned in particular by the textile industry, machinery and equipment manufacturing, and the electrical industry which all indicate an improved outlook.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on final draft guidance from NICE on the use of exagamglogene autotemcel (exa-cel) for severe sickle cell disease.
Dr Diana Hernandez, director of immune and advanced therapies at UK stem cell charity Anthony Nolan, said:
“Today’s decision from NICE to grant access, on the NHS, to the UK’s first ever CRISPR-based therapy for some patients with sickle cell disease, represents a leap forward in the treatment of this debilitating and life-threatening condition. Sickle cell disease is caused by abnormally shaped red blood cells that can block blood vessels, causing fatigue, chronic pain and increased risk of infection. By modifying the DNA of the patient’s own stem cells so they produce healthy red blood cells, the treatment provides a ‘functional cure’ for people who otherwise have limited options.
“This treatment offers hope to thousands of patients in the UK, the majority of whom are from African and African-Caribbean backgrounds and have experienced years of feeling ignored, and is a glimpse into the exciting possibilities of gene therapies to treat diseases that have previously been considered incurable.”
Dr Alena Pance, Senior Lecturer in Genetics, University of Hertfordshire, said:
“Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel) is based on the innovative gene-editing tool CRISPR, which won its inventors the Nobel Prize in 2020
“This approach is a great medical advancement because gene-editing may represent a possible cure rather than a treatment of this inherited genetic disease and stem cell technology makes it possible to use patient-specific cells which avoid immunological issues.
“The background is that sickle cell disease is caused by mutation of one of the proteins that form haemoglobin. This is the main component of red blood cells that transports oxygen around the body. In adulthood, it consists of 4 globin proteins, 2 alpha and 2 beta, that form a tetramer with an iron core which binds the oxygen. During development however, the haemoglobin in the foetus is made with gamma globin instead of beta globin. This is because Gamma globin has higher affinity for oxygen, which is less abundant in the womb. At birth, there is a switch that silences Gamma globin which is no longer made and induces Beta globin to be made instead.
“When Beta globin is mutated long inflexible chains of haemoglobin form, called sickle haemoglobin that leads to a change in the morphology of the red blood cells which also become stiff and get stuck in small capillaries. This causes pain and loss of red blood cells or anaemia, which increases in situations of high need or use of oxygen, such as exercise or high altitude.
“What this therapy does is to switch off the factor that silences Gamma globin so that it can be produced in the red blood cells and substitute the faulty Beta globin. Because it is a blood disease, the gene-editing can be performed in the stem cells from the bone marrow from which all the cells in the blood originate. This means that the stem cells are extracted from the patient, modified and expanded in the lab and then put back into the patient where they will be able to reconstitute the blood. As a consequence, there is no immunological difference between the modified cells and the patient necessitating immunosuppressing medication for life and once the modified stem cells establish themselves in the bone marrow of the patient, they can repopulate the bone marrow and produce Gamma globin red blood cells technically for ever. An additional advantage this strategy has is that because it does not aim to correct the mutation (fix the faulty beta globin) it can be generally applied not just to sickle cell disease but also to beta-thalassemia. This is because there is a wide range of mutations in the beta globin gene and so fixing it would become patient-specific which would be even more costly and difficult.”
“There are some set backs to this approach and it is certain that the technology will continue improving, but at this moment in time, it is the greatest advance seen so far in the application of these technologies to health.”
Prof Ewan Birney, Deputy Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and Director of EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), said:
“This is an exciting development for practical CRISPR based gene therapy. After impressive clinical trials worldwide, the technology provides a way for certain sickle cell disease individuals to have a far better life. This CRISPR based therapy uses an interesting molecular mechanism, where the gene therapy acts on a different, related gene (fetal haemoglobin), boosting this gene’s expression in adulthood which mitigates the effect of the sickle cell changed adult haemoglobin. The mechanism was discovered by genetic studies in particular from cohorts in Sub-Saharan Africa and people with recent African ancestries.
“Looking ahead, this technology has the potential to treat many other rare diseases with precise genetic diagnoses.”
Prof Felicity Gavins, Professor of Pharmacology,Brunel University of London, said:
“The approval of Exa-cel for NHS use in England is a very exciting moment, not only because this marks the first approval of a CRISPR-based gene therapy for SCD in the NHS, but also because it offers a potentially curative treatment for eligible patients. By addressing the genetic cause of SCD, Exa-cel reduces or eliminates vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), decreases hospitalisations, and improves quality of life.
“Of the 15,000 people in England with SCD, approximately 1,750 may be eligible for Exa-cel treatment. The therapy works by editing the patient’s BCL11A gene to reactivate fetal haemoglobin production, preventing red blood cells from sickling and blocking blood flow which cause VOCs and disease complications.
“However, while Exa-cel is a breakthrough, it is not a cure for all SCD patients, and uncertainties remain about its long-term effectiveness, safety and accessibility. It is critical to continue funding research to develop treatment that benefit the broader SCD population and address remaining challenges in care.”
Professor Laurence D. Hurst,Professor of Evolutionary Genetics, The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, said:
“The recommendation of exa-cel (alias Casgevy, alias Exagamglogene autotemcel) by NICE is a potential step change for sufferers (and their carers) of a common genetic disorder, sickle cell disease (SCD) that particularly affects UK individuals with a Caribbean and Black African ancestry. It will come as a very welcome reversal of a prior draft recommendation (March 2024) by many within the at-risk communities.
“Part of NICE’s recommendation was based on the observation that the disorder is especially prevent in ethnic minority backgrounds and seeks to redress inequality in health access. This is a good news day for sufferers of severe SCD and for these communities.”
Why is there a need for a “cure” for sickle cell disease?
“Current treatments may be considered the equivalent of plastering over a wound repeatedly, rather than getting to the cause of the wound and curing it.
“SCD patients need regular blood transfusions and with that treatment to absorb excess iron. Some qualify for a drug therapy, Hydroxycarbamide, also used as in cancer chemotherapy, that reduces VOC rates. This increases rate of production of foetal globin and reduces red cell stickiness. There are very few treatments to stop symptoms and what is available often has intolerable side effects. A further issue is that while treatments may reduce VOC frequency they tend to increase pain associated with each VOC. They do not address the underlying cause.”
“Stem cell transfusion – the best current “cure” – is potentially different as you are replacing the cells that make red blood cells in the patient with those from a donor who doesn’t have SCD. However, only 15% of patients have a potential donor and this treatment can lead to immune rejection (graft versus host disease).
“Exa-cel is potentially a life-long cure – the patients can make their own non SCD inducing blood, thus immune rejection should not be an issue.”
How does this CRISPR therapy work?
“For many single gene genetic disorders gene therapy is now being actively researched and, in some cases, making it to clinic. To date the successful ones, have taken the strategy of adding in a copy of the properly functioning version of the gene (as in recent gene therapies for haemophilia A and B). Exa-cel is different as it involves “editing” your own DNA, not adding genes.
“It relies on the fact that as foetuses our haemoglobin was different. Indeed, foetal haemoglobin is a little better than the adult version at carrying oxygen. Adult haemoglobin consists of two beta globins and two alpha globins. In foetuses we use gamma globin instead of beta globin. Shortly after birth a protein BCL11A helps in the switch from foetal to adult haemoglobin, from gamma to beta. Exa-cel edits the gene for BCL11A preventing it from being made, and in so doing forces the cells to upregulate gamma globin so making more foetal haemoglobin.
“It does this by editing a part of the switch that turns the BCL11A gene on in developing blood cells. This causes BCL11A to not be made which in turn allows gamma globin to be produced, as BCL11A switches gamma globin off. As such – it is a CRISPR mediated gene edit – it is unlike the standard mode of gene therapy which involves addition of the correct gene. The treatment involve removing relevant cells from the patient, editing in the lab and replacing them into the patient.
“Given its mode of action it is a potential therapy for any genetic disease involving badly functioning beta-globin, notably sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.
“Importantly it is also likely that making gamma globin is safe – it is our own protein. In addition, most of us fail to fully inactivate the foetal/gamma version and so well all have a bit of gamma globin. Indeed, with conditions like SCD, the higher the level of gamma globin the lesser the symptoms.”
The therapy is life transforming
“The evidence for the efficacy and safety of Casgevy for SCD is good, although sample numbers are low. Base line the patients had 2.6 VOCs per year. Of 43 patients 29 were followed long enough. 28 of 29 had no VOCs for at least a year. None were hospitalised.
“There is a further issue, however, that it can be difficult to collect cells in patients with SCD and some of those not followed up were because the treatment couldn’t be given.
What is the new decision?
“This new decision is not a statement about safety and efficacy. The therapy has been approved for use in the UK (late 2023), EU (spring 2024) and USA (late 2023) on safety and efficacy grounds. What is new is that NICE now recommends funding this with “managed access*” via the NHS as it is deemed adequately cost effective (or rather it was happy with the high level of uncertainty on cost effectiveness given the circumstances). This is a reversal of its prior draft recommendation in March 2024.
“It is restricted to those for whom a stem cell transplant donor cannot be found and with severe SCD ie recurrent VOCs meaning 2 or more in the prior 2 years.
“The defence for the opening of access was based on the health inequalities faced by people with SCD, the technology being innovative and the fact that prior decision had failed to capture the quality of life of the carers.
“Earlier this year NICE approved the same therapy for beta thalassemia -also owing to beta glogin issues- for a restricted number of patients.”
What does the treatment cost?
“The treatment is a one-off procedure. The headline cost per treatment £1,651,000 but the actual cost to the NHS is a commercial secret.”
What are the uncertainties?
“There are two main uncertainties:
“First, being a new treatment how long it will last is unknown. Why the treatment might revert is unclear but only time will tell.
“The second is whether there are downstream side effects. CRISPR as an application for example involves send a molecule to cut DNA at a designated site in our DNA. Sometimes, however, the cuts also happen at sites we didn’t want to have cut. These are so-called “off-target” effects. The early data from the research team behind found no evidence for such off-target effects but they remain a possibility. More classical forms of gene therapy – involving adding genes to our DNA – have been associated with induction of cancer and so the field is naturally cautious.”
What is SCD?
“Sickle cell disease is a genetic disease associated with a different form of a gene and its derived protein that make up part of the molecular that transports oxygen from the lungs to the body, heamoglobin, in our red blood cells. The affected gene/protein is “beta globin”.
“Sufferers have pain 4 days out of every seven and unpredictable episodes of severe pain, termed vaso-occlusive crises [VOCs] that can require hospitalization. Over 2 years about 2/3 of sufferers need emergency care 2 to 3 times and about a quarter spend 1-2 weeks in hospital. Higher rates of both define severe SCD. It causes ongoing anaemia (lack of red blood cells) and widespread organ damage. Even with access to medical support, life expectancy is typically around 50 years.”
Why is SCD so prevalent in ethnic minorities?
“Globally locations with endemic malaria have higher rates of the disorder. This is because individuals with a mix of beta globin genes (we all have two versions, one inherited from mother one from father) are less likely to die young from malaria. This selection favouring individuals with a mix of beta-globins maintains the two versions of the beta globin gene at relatively high frequencies. However, it also means that the rate at which individuals will inherit two of the SCD causing version of the gene is also high – if mum and dad were both carriers a quarter of their kids will get SCD. Having two SCD versions is needed for the full blown SCD. In sub-Saharan Africa up to 1-3% of the population suffer SCD making it a remarkably prevalent genetic disease.”
Professor David Rees, Professor of Paediatric Sickle Cell Disease, King’s College London, said:
“It is encouraging that Exa-cel has been approved for use to treat patients with sickle cell disease in England, particularly as it is based on discoveries made at King’s College London by Dr Stephan Menzel and Professor Swee Lay Thein. The treatment uses CRISPR gene editing technology to increase the level of fetal haemoglobin in people with sickle cell disease, which has a major effect in reducing the severity of the condition. The treatment is not curative in the traditional sense of the word, in that the patients still have some features of sickle cell disease, but early studies suggest that successfully treated patients have very few symptoms of the condition, at least in the medium term.
“Exa-cel has been approved for patients getting episodes of acute pain over the age of 12 years, and potentially more than 5000 people with sickle cell disease may be eligible for this in the UK. However, it is difficult to know how many people will actually benefit, because of the very high cost and potential toxicity of the treatment. Exa-cel treatment still requires very strong chemotherapy, similar to having a bone marrow transplant, which causes problems with reduced fertility and sometimes more serious complications, and it seems likely that it will most benefit patients with severe and progressive problems caused by sickle cell disease.
“Despite these concerns, the availability of Exa-cel is a major advance and offers a really important new treatment option for some patients with sickle cell disease. Excitingly, advances in gene editing are happening very rapidly at the moment and it seems likely that cheaper, safer and more effective forms of gene editing will emerge for sickle cell disease over the coming years, offering the prospect of a curative treatment which is universally applicable, even in low income countries where the majority of patients live.”
NICE’s final draft guidance on Exagamglogene autotemcel for treating severe sickle cell disease in people 12 years and over was published at 00:01 UK time on Friday 31 January 2025.
Declared interests
Professor David Rees: “I don’t think I have any significant conflicts of interest.”
Prof Ewan Birney: No conflict of interest.
Dr Alena Pance: No conflicts.
For all other experts, no response to our request for DOIs was received.
Released by: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads
The proposed upgrade to Mandalong Road at Morisset, southwest of Newcastle, has taken another step forward with the community consultation report for the preferred design display now published.
The Australian Government is investing $56 million and the NSW Government is investing $20 million in upgrades to Mandalong Road.
The community and key stakeholders were invited to have their say on the preferred design for the proposed upgrade from 26 June to 4 August last year.
This design includes replacing the existing roundabout at the intersection of Wyee Road and Freemans Drive with traffic lights, a shared path between Ourimbah Street and Gimberts Road, as well as two new bus stops on Dora Street.
The Gimberts Road/Gateway Boulevard roundabout will now be separately upgraded by a private developer.
A total of 202 submissions were received during the display period, including 190 survey responses and 12 emails.
The consultation report includes feedback on the design, operational and network impacts, environmental impacts, project concerns and suggestions.
Feedback received about the preferred design has been considered as work on the concept design and environmental assessment continues.
Timing for construction is yet to be confirmed and is dependent on planning approvals and the finalisation of project costings and funding arrangements.
Consultation will continue with key stakeholders and the community will be kept informed as the project progresses.
Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“Mandalong Road provides a critical link from the M1 Pacific Motorway to Morisset and the southern part of the Lake Macquarie local government area.
“This upgrade will improve traffic flow and safety for about 17,000 road users daily, while helping meet the future needs of an increased population and employment in the Morisset area.
“The upgrade will also support retail, industry, commercial and housing growth along the corridor, with potentially upwards of 5,000 new dwellings in the surrounding area.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:
“We know this is an important project for the community with more than 200 submissions received during the consultation period.
“As part of the survey, respondents were asked to provide feedback on the level of project importance and support of the preferred design.
“I was pleased to note that 90 per cent of survey respondents believe the project to be very important or important, and more than 80 per cent supported the preferred design.
“I’m proud to be part of a government getting the work done to improve the daily lives of people living in NSW.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi:
“These traffic upgrades will be really significant for local and visiting motorists and pedestrians in terms of safety and also minimising delays on their journeys in this part of the lower Hunter.
“We will continue to engage with the NSW Government, key stakeholders and the community to deliver the best option for traffic and pedestrian movement in Morriset.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper:
“Upgrading Mandalong Road is the most important transport priority in southern Lake Macquarie.
“Like other frustrated locals, I have been calling for a solution to the traffic and safety issues at Mandalong Road for years.
“With its strategic position, the Morisset area is poised to experience a surge in people, jobs, homes and industrial and commercial development. Upgrading Mandalong Road, along with other infrastructure and services, is essential to support this growth and help Morisset realise its full potential.”
Quotes attributable to Duty MLC for Lake Macquarie, Emily Suvaal:
“This is a key step in the upgrade process and I welcome the work the NSW Government, together with the Commonwealth, is doing to improve traffic conditions for motorists in Lake Macquarie.
“The much-needed Mandalong Road upgrades will significantly improve local traffic conditions and this next stage of consultation is vital to getting that work done.”
Federated Farmers welcomes Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones’ efforts to hold banks accountable when they stray from their core function – lending money.
Jones is spearheading a member’s bill seeking to ensure financial institutions focus on their legal and social responsibility to provide credit rather than engaging in selective lending based on ideology.
“We’re right behind that. Banks exist to lend, not to lecture,” Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says.
“It’s the job of elected governments to determine which businesses are lawful -not a handful of banking executives imposing their own moral compass.
“Yet we’re seeing banks decline credit to legal businesses simply because they don’t align with corporate PR strategies.”
One threat identified by Federated Farmers is to petrol stations, a vital lifeline for rural communities and isolated parts of New Zealand.
Internal BNZ documents provided to Federated Farmers in late 2024 clearly state there is to be no new lending to petrol stations, and all existing debt needs to be repaid by 2030.
“If banks are unwilling to provide lending to pay for things like upgrades, expansion or compliance, petrol stations will just disappear,” McIntyre says.
“It’s ideologically driven nonsense. Do they not think farmers and rural communities will still need petrol in five years?
“If a business is lawful, creditworthy, and can service a loan, then why should it be blacklisted by bank officials who jetted off to Glasgow together to sign an agreement on joint lending criteria?”
Banks hold a social licence, and with that comes an obligation to serve their customers fairly, not to dictate how they should run their businesses, McIntyre says.
Federated Farmers has been at the forefront of the fight against banking overreach in recent years.
The farming advocacy group has led the charge for a government inquiry into banking competition, and has been working with Ministers to push for a review of bank capital requirements that penalise the agriculture sector.
The federation also laid a complaint late last year with the Commerce Commission about the Net Zero Banking Alliance and its potential anti-competitive behaviour.
“We continue to monitor and put pressure on banks to be fair to their customers, and we’re pleased to support Minister Jones’ proposal.
“Banks should focus on banking, so farmers can focus on farming.
“We expect this Bill to include provisions ensuring lending decisions are based on financial criteria rather than emissions targets,” McIntyre says.
“Federated Farmers will continue to advocate for rural businesses and fair access to credit, so banking policies support the economy rather than ideology.”
Released by: Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government
Developers could face financial penalties for failing to deliver homes and unfairly profiting off buyers under reforms being considered by the NSW Government.
Feedback is being sought on stronger protections for consumers in off the plan contracts for homes and land in NSW, to guide the delivery of new housing and prevent lengthy delays that leave people out of pocket.
An off the plan contract is an agreement for the sale and purchase of a property that is yet to be developed or constructed. These contracts can apply to the sale of a proposed lot in a strata or community land scheme or to the sale of land in a conventional subdivision.
The reforms are being designed to help increase housing supply by providing greater certainty and clearer deadlines for home buyers and to free up land for development faster by removing outdated restrictions on development sites.
The reforms are intended to help more people achieve the Australian dream of home ownership and build greater confidence in the housing market by improving protections for buyers and preventing developers from delaying homes they have been contracted to deliver.
About five per cent of 180,000 residential purchases in NSW last financial year were off the plan contracts which allow a buyer to commit to purchasing a property before the complex is built or land is subdivided.
Potential reforms being released for comment aim to tighten contract rules to give buyers a clearer understanding of when they can expect to move into their new home, reducing uncertainty and the risk of being left behind in the market when a contract is cancelled.
This could include scrapping the ability for developers to draw the contract out with indefinite sunset clauses which give buyers no clear path forward, or ability to exit the arrangement.
Other proposed changes the NSW Government is considering include:
Making sunset clauses mandatory in contracts so that buyers can withdraw if sunset events do not occur by a set time
Requiring developers to disclose the status of the development against construction milestones so buyers have a better understanding of timeframes and potential risks
Limiting a developer’s ability to extend sunset dates only for certain reasons beyond the developer’s control such as weather or supply issues, and imposing time limits on extensions
Requiring developers to take reasonable steps to meet dates by potentially introducing penalties for inaction.
The Government is also looking at unlocking potential development sites by making it easier to remove private, outdated agreements from land titles (known as obsolete restrictive covenants) which can limit how land is used or developed.
Covenants can continue to bind future landowners indefinitely, even if they become outdated – for example, an obsolete covenant may prevent more than one property from being built on the land or ban the use of certain building materials.
To support the reforms, the Office of the Registrar General has released a discussion paper called ‘Contracts and Covenants: Reforms to support development of land’ outlining the options.
The community is invited to respond to survey questions or upload a submission on the reform proposals and share their experiences on the NSW Government’s Have Your Say platform.
The consultation will lay the groundwork for legislation to be developed in 2025.
The Contracts and Covenants consultation is open until 7 March 2025.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:
“Buying a home is one of the most stressful experiences for an individual, these proposals are designed to provide greater certainty and consistency. This review is about making sure home buyers have the right protections and information they need to make informed decisions.”
“Off the plan contracts play a crucial role in supporting essential housing supply initiatives in NSW. They allow buyers to purchase property early in the development process, while giving developers the confidence and financial security to build.”
“We know that most developers do the right thing, but we don’t want situations where businesses try to run down the clock on a contract to sell to a higher bidder or mislead consumers by unfairly changing the goalposts for when they can move into their dream home.”
“These reforms are designed to provide greater transparency as well as encourage the delivery of new homes. These proposals are about encouraging developers to be upfront about timelines and challenges to assist homeowners.”
“We encourage people to have their say on these proposals which aim to boost consumer confidence in the off the plan contract process and help NSW achieve our housing targets.”
Registrar General Danusia Cameron said:
“Off the plan buyers need more information and support than buyers of established homes because they are not able to inspect a property before committing to buy it.”
“It is important that the laws governing off the plan contracts also arm buyers with appropriate safeguards, meet the needs of the community and address emerging issues in the sector to ensure there is continued confidence in the process.”
The Government should be embarrassed that its own data shows working from home by public servants is not the big problem it made out to be.
The Public Service Commission has today publisheddata showing only a third of publicservants work from home around one or two days a week. The average days working from home was in fact less than one day – 0.9 days.
“The Government’s appalling attack on public servants working from home has been exposed for what it really is – a flimsy attempt to deflect from its own decisions to axe thousands of workers,” said Fleur Fitzsimons Acting National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
The PSA has filed a claim with the Employment Relations Authority to stop the Government restricting flexible workplace practices (see statement below).
“The reckless and rushed job cuts ordered by the Government are what has been hurting Wellington’s CBD businesses. Ordering public servants to spend more time in the office when in fact most are already working most days of the week in the office is just stupid policy. It won’t offset the economic damage its austerity policies have inflicted.
“International evidence shows flexible work drives greater productivity. The PSA’s own survey last year showed 85% of members saying it improved the work they do, that means delivering the better outcomes the Government wants.
“The Government promised evidence-based decision-making. It should have waited before launching its attack on flexible work practices.
“It’s directive to order public servants to spend more time in the office has been over-egged for purely political ends – public servants deserve better.”
Attribute to Southern District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Shona Low:
Police have smashed a significant Southland drug operation, thanks to some dodgy-looking crockery intercepted by Customs in Auckland.
Kilograms of drugs, including over 30kg of cannabis, and over $60,000 cash have been seized and two Invercargill men have been arrested and charged.
The operation began at the Auckland International Mail Centre on 6 January 2025, when a package caught the attention of Customs officers. It was declared to contain dining plates, but an X-ray raised suspicions and testing revealed more than 2kg of MDMA had been pressed into plate shape and coated with paint.
The package was addressed to an Invercargill property, and the Southern District Organised Crime Group immediately got to work, gathering information and preparing a search warrant.
On 23 January the Invercargill property was searched, and officers turned up ketamine, cash, ammunition and cannabis. But the most significant discovery was evidence that showed a connection to another Southland address.
Given the quantities of MDMA intercepted at the border and clear signs of a wider drug operation, Police quickly obtained a search warrant for the second property and prepared to search it that same day.
At that address, Police were met with an overwhelming smell of cannabis and found a sophisticated grow set-up, numerous plants, and more than 25kg of high-grade cannabis head, packaged and ready to be sold.
A sizeable amount of a substance, believed to be ketamine, was also located, along with another half-kilogram of MDMA, and more than $60,000 cash.
This is offending on a scale rarely seen in Southland and serious harm has been prevented, thanks to Customs and Police working closely together and acting fast.
This wasn’t someone growing a cannabis plant for their own use. It was an organised, sophisticated drug operation designed to make a profit, without any concern for the people affected or damaged by it. The drug trade feeds people’s addictions and fuels crime by encouraging desperate individuals to steal in order to pay for their next hit.
We know this won’t stop the supply of drugs, it won’t stop organised crime groups or others from trying to profit from addiction, but it will put a noticeable dent in the availability of illegal drugs in the district and the harm caused by them.
We want to thank the highly trained Customs officers whose efforts have contributed to keeping our communities safe.
By the numbers:
18kg (40lb) of high-grade cannabis head
12kg (28lb) of leaf
22 Cannabis plants
431g (15.2oz) of MDMA
0.46g of cocaine
210g (7.4oz) of suspected ketamine
6 rounds of .303 ammo, and a magazine
8 rounds of .300 ammo
250 rounds of .22 ammo
$60,400 in cash
A 38-year-old Invercargill man appeared in the Invercargill District Court on 24 January, charged with:
Supplying ecstasy
Supplying ketamine
Cultivating cannabis
Possession of cannabis for supply
Possession of ecstasy for supply.
He has been remanded in custody.
A 34-year-old Invercargill man appeared in the Invercargill District Court on 28 January, charged with:
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Rosa Ventura, 34, of Fresno, and Claudia Gonzales, 38, of Fresno, charging them with conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, and kidnapping involving a child, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
According to court documents, on May 8, 2024, a woman reported her boyfriend after a domestic violence incident, which resulted in his arrest. In retaliation for calling the police, the boyfriend’s sister, Rosa Ventura, took the woman’s 5-month-old daughter away and drove her and her 9-year-old daughter to an unknown field outside Fresno.
At the field, Ventura’s friend and accomplice, Claudia Gonzales, revealed herself after hiding in the car’s trunk area. Ventura and Gonzales then drove the mother and child straight to Tijuana, Mexico, and stranded them at an unknown bus station in order to dissuade the mother from testifying in the state domestic violence case where she was a victim. The mother and child were held against their will during the drive. At one point, the mother and child attempted to flee at a gas station, but Ventura and Gonzales chased them down and physically forced them back into the car.
This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Veneman-Hughes and Cody S. Chapple are prosecuting the case.
The defendants are in custody pending trial. Their next appearance is Feb. 5, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean for their initial appearance on the indictment.
If convicted, Ventura and Gonzales face a statutory minimum of 20 years to a maximum of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Earlier today and throughout the past few weeks, in federal court in Brooklyn, five members and associates of the Luchese organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including racketeering, money laundering and illegal gambling related to criminal activities throughout New York City. The proceedings were held before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto. Today, Luchese crime family soldier Anthony Villani pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering and illegal gambling. As part of Villani’s plea agreement, he will pay $4 million in forfeiture. His co-defendants have agreed to pay an additional approximately $1 million in forfeiture. Villani and his co-defendants operated a large-scale, illegal online gambling business (the Gambling Business) that operated under the protection of the Luchese crime family across the New York metropolitan area. The gambling business, known as “Rhino Sports,” operated since the early 2000s and brought millions in illicit profits annually.
John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty pleas.
“These guilty pleas represent a victory for the rule of law over the pernicious activities of organized crime that undermine the safety of our communities,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “Illegal gambling businesses require enforcement and protection from mob rivals that carry the persistent threat of violence. However, the defendants’ luck ran out and, thanks to the hard work of the team of prosecutors and investigators, they will be held accountable for their crimes and pay their debt to society.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy stated: “Our investigations involving members of the Five Families don’t make the same headlines as they have historically. However, the men pleading guilty in this case illustrate how entrenched the traditional mafia are in their noxious and familiar criminality. They are less flashy these days – and a lot of that is due to the incredible cunning and tenacity agents and investigators on our FBI New York Westchester Organized Crime Task Force use to pursue members of these organizations.”
As detailed in the indictment and court filings, for over 25 years, Villani has been involved in significant gambling operations, principally based in the Bronx and Westchester, New York, that were affiliated with multiple organized crime families. Villani owned and operated the Gambling Business since at least 2004. The Gambling Business was hosted using servers in Costa Rica and employed local bookmakers to pay and collect winnings. Villani’s bookmakers included members and associates of the Luchese crime family and other La Cosa Nostra families. As part of the scheme, Villani employed trusted individuals, including defendants Louis Tucci, Jr. and Dennis Filizzola, to assist in operating the business and collecting at least $1 million annually. Records obtained of the Gambling Business’s website indicated that Villani’s illegal gambling operation regularly took bets from between 400 and 1,300 bettors each week, most of whom were based in New York City and the metropolitan area. At Villani’s direction, Filizzola took proceeds from the Gambling Business and used them to purchase U.S. Postal Service money orders in false names, which were then made payable to one of Villani’s property companies to appear as legitimate rental payments.
When sentenced, Villani faces up to 20 years in prison. Louis Tucci, Jr., pleaded guilty on January 27, 2025 to illegal sports betting and faces up to five years in prison. Filizzola pleaded guilty on January 21, 2025 to illegal sports betting and money laundering and faces up to five years in prison and up to 20 years in prison on those counts respectively. James Coumoutsos pleaded guilty on January 21, 2025 to illegal sports betting and faces up to five years in prison. Michael Praino pleaded guilty on January 10, 2025 to illegal sports gambling and faces up to five years in prison. A sixth defendant remains at large.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorney Antoinette N. Rangel is in charge of the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Claire S. Kedeshian of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section is handling forfeiture matters.
The Defendants:
ANTHONY VILLANI Age: 60 Elmsford, NY
JAMES COUMOUTSOS (also known as “Quick”) Age: 62 Bronx, NY
DENNIS FILIZZOLA Age: 61 Cortlandt Manor, NY
MICHAEL PRAINO (also known as “Platinum”) Age: 47 Lake Worth, Florida
LOUIS TUCCI, JR. (also known as “Tooch”) Age: 61 Tuckahoe, NY
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Corey Harris, 34, of Exeter, charging him with conspiracy to traffic firearms and unlawful dealing and manufacturing of firearms without a license, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
According to court documents, between 2021 and 2023, Harris, a peace officer with the California Department of Cannabis Control at the time of his arrest and a former officer with the Visalia Police Department, conspired with another individual to traffic in firearms. He conspired to transfer at least three firearms on three different occasions to a person he knew to be a felon, including a stolen AK-style rifle, a Glock handgun, and a privately manufactured machine gun. Privately manufactured firearms are also known as “ghost guns.”
According to court documents, Harris used his status as a police officer to obtain firearms and firearms accessories that ordinary citizens could not purchase. He manufactured or directed the manufacture of firearms, including machine guns. Despite not having a federal firearms license, Harris was in the business of manufacturing and selling firearms.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Fresno Police Department, the Selma Police Department, the California Department of Cannabis Control, the California Department of Justice, and the Visalia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert L. Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of conspiracy to traffic firearms, Harris faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of unlawful dealing and manufacturing of firearms without a license, Harris faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
The Government has launched a consultation on a new approach to Land Use empowering decision makers with the toolkit to protect the most productive agricultural land and boost food security.
New sophisticated data on how land is used will underpin the Government’s Plan for Change, supporting economic growth through building 1.5 million homes and delivering critical infrastructure, securing clean power, protecting farmland and restoring the natural world.
The consultation will seek views from farmers, landowners, businesses and nature groups across the length and breadth of the country.
The Government is today (Friday 31 January) launching a consultation on a new strategic approach to managing land use in England to give decision makers the data they need to protect our most productive agricultural land, boosting Britain’s food security in a time of global uncertainty and a changing climate.
This will support the Government’s missions under the Plan for Change, including delivering new housebuilding, energy infrastructure and new towns.
Using the most sophisticated land use data ever published, the Land Use Framework will provide the principles, advanced data and tools to support decision-making by local government, landowners, businesses, farmers, and nature groups to make the most of our land. This will help deliver the different objectives we have for England’s finite land, including growing food, building 1.5 million homes this parliament, and restoring nature.
As part of a national conversation, there will be workshops across the country, bringing farmers and landowners to the table, to put the insights of the people who manage our landscapes at the centre of our work to develop a final Land Use Framework.
Protecting UK food security and pursuing our mission for economic growth go hand-in-hand – with the highest quality agricultural land already protected for food production whilst kickstarting the economy by building new housing and rolling out renewable energy to make the UK a clean energy superpower.
Local planning will benefit from data outlined in the Land Use Framework, combined with the energy and housing spatial plans and a new food strategy. This will ensure we build 1.5 million new homes over five years, a generation of new towns, and the energy infrastructure needed to achieve Clean Power by 2030, while protecting food security and our natural world.
Speaking at the launch at the Royal Geographical Society, the Secretary of State for the Environment Steve Reed will set out how we will protect farmland and unlock growth.
He is expected to say:
Today is the start of a national conversation to transform how we use land in this country. It’s time for policy to leave the chambers of Westminster and reflect the actual lived experiences of farmers, landowners and planners on the ground.
Using the most sophisticated land use data ever published, we will transform how we use our land to deliver on our Plan for Change. That means enabling the protection of prime agricultural land, restore our natural world and drive economic growth.
This framework will not tell people what to do.
It is about working together to pool our knowledge and resources, to give local and national government, landowners, businesses, farmers and nature groups the data and tools they need to take informed actions that are best for them, best for the land, and best for the country.
Speaking about farmland, he will go on to say:
This Government has a cast-iron commitment to maintain long-term food production.
The primary purpose of farming will always be to produce food that feeds the nation.
This framework will give decision makers the toolkit they need to protect our highest quality agricultural land.
This vision for land is one in which we guarantee our long-term food security and future-proof our farm businesses, support new housebuilding and energy infrastructure, and reduce conflicts that hold up development by creating land with multiple benefits – supporting economic growth on the limited land we have available.
The Framework will help farm businesses to maximise the potential of multiple uses of land, supporting long-term food production capacity and unlocking opportunities for businesses to drive private finance into the sector. It will support the need to incentivise multi-functional land use that includes food production.
We will also consult on how data can be used in some planning decisions to improve the resilience of our food system to flooding risk.
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner said:
Today marks an important step forward in our journey to build the 1.5 million new homes that we desperately need.
This new approach will make better use of our land and grasp the opportunities to deliver new homes and infrastructure in the areas most in need, achieving win-win results for both development and the environment.
Our Plan for Change is going even further to dismantle the barriers holding back growth, so we can raise living standards, get more families onto the property ladder, and deliver a better future for our children and grandchildren.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:
The biggest threat to nature and food security is the climate crisis, which threatens our best farmland, food production and the livelihoods of farmers.
As we deliver our mission for the UK to become a clean energy superpower as part of the Plan for Change, we will ensure a proper balance between food security, nature preservation and clean energy.
We can roll out renewables in a way that is both positive for our energy security and our environment.
Sue Pritchard, Chief Executive, Food, Farming and Countryside Commission said:
With so many of the government’s missions reliant on good land use decisions, Steve Reed’s announcement today could not be more timely. Setting out clear principles, and working across government departments, we’re pleased to see that the land use consultation focuses on mechanisms for delivery. Our work in Devon and Peterborough and Cambridgeshire proves that farmers and land managers, communities, local authorities, green groups and businesses are keen to work together to help shape a Land Use framework.
The next stages of development will involve extensive sector engagement in a collaborative process as we design a final Land Use Framework – informed by the views of landowners, businesses, farmers, and nature groups. This evidence will also feed into the wider reform that we are delivering in the sector through the Farming Roadmap and Food Strategy.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks with the final Land Use Framework published later in the year. This will deliver a key manifesto commitment as part of our Plan for Change.
The Land Use Framework offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enhance national resilience, drive sustainable economic growth, and position the UK as a global leader in land management. By uniting all stakeholders with a clear, consistent approach, it ensures taxpayer money is spent efficiently — optimising Defra resources, empowering land managers to deliver impactful outcomes, and securing long-term prosperity in the face of growing climate uncertainty.
Lydia Collas, head of natural environment at Green Alliance, said:
With weather extremes having a major impact on harvests, it’s an important step to clearly set out how we’ll secure our food supply, tackle climate change, and restore nature in a Land Use Framework. Reforms to farming policy are at a critical stage, and we need a framework to support evidence-based decisions about how the farming budget is spent. This should help direct farm payments to those that have the biggest part to play in restoring nature, while ensuring we continue to produce high-quality food and don’t export more of the environmental costs of what we eat.
Forestry Commission Chair Sir William Worsley said:
There has never been a more crucial time to invest in domestic woodland creation.
The Land Use Framework will provide principles that promote this and outline the many benefits of woodland creation, including for climate change mitigation, nature recovery, timber production, water quality and quantity, as well as the multiple social benefits.
This will play a key role in meeting statutory tree cover and biodiversity targets as well as helping to address the urgent need for improved timber security.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:
Too often the health of the natural environment, farming and ambitions for the built environment are presented as competing interests, with protecting Nature portrayed as a barrier to development and food security. The fact is though that we can and must do all these things, and by taking a more strategic view of how we use land, we can deliver against government’s stretching legal targets to halt and reverse nature decline, while also enabling the new homes and infrastructure the country needs, including renewable power and reservoirs, while at the same time protecting food security and building resilience to climate change impacts.
The Land Use Framework is a vital step forward, offering opportunities to move beyond tired old binary choices, between housing and greenspace or Nature and food, and onto the more integrated thinking that we must embrace in meeting multiple pressing challenges all at once. This is a key policy that will unlock prospects for the restoration of Nature at larger scale, while at the same time meeting the country’s needs for housing, energy, water and food.
Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:
The Land Use Framework is hugely welcome as an important tool for making smarter decisions about how we use our land. It starts a vital national conversation about the scale of change needed over time to meet and reconcile environmental goals for water, climate and nature with food production, housing and development.
For example, by utilising low-grade agricultural land for natural flood management, we can reduce flood risk, enhance biodiversity, and create more sustainable landscapes. This kind of approach will help us meet the challenges of a changing climate while delivering real benefits for communities and the environment.
Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:
Land in England is precious. We know that the way we use our little island must change to meet the challenges of the nature and climate crisis. For too long, competing land uses have been left to solve the jigsaw puzzle of England, without a picture on the front of the box to guide them. Ministers have an opportunity to ensure that the right players have all the pieces they need to make more space for nature, alongside sustainable food production and green infrastructure.
The Land Use Framework can help ensure all new development is wilder by design, expanding space for our wildlife to recover, and building nature into the heart of development. The test will be whether the final framework can actually influence the thousands of daily decisions that matter for nature, from big strategic development plans and Local Plans, right down to individual choices from chicken sheds to targeted incentives for nature-friendly farming.
Becky Pullinger, head of land use planning at The Wildlife Trusts, says:
There’s never been a proper plan for managing the competing demands on land and the way that land is given over for development, for biofuels or for food production is haphazard at best.
The only way we’ll tackle climate change, nature loss, health problems and housing shortages is by thinking ahead about what land is used for and how it is used – because we can’t afford to solve one crisis at the expense of another.
Done well, a Land Use Framework could provide a significant reset opportunity to meet all these challenges and deliver wins for nature recovery, the economy, a nature-friendly food supply and green energy.
Beccy Speight, RSPB chief executive, said:
The joined-up approach being taken to create this framework is exactly what’s needed to determine how we make best use of the limited land available in England. Delivering a future that safeguards nature, tackles climate change, ensures food security and resilient farm businesses, and enables sustainable development is the only sensible path. It’s possible to do all of this.
The last year has seen record levels of flooding impacting farmers and land managers across the country, largely due to extreme weather. To tackle this, we must ensure this framework is aligned with the necessary incentives to support the adoption of more nature-friendly and climate resilient practices. This is only the start of what must be a national conversation, but the ambition to reconcile competing pressures and allow strategic decision making on how land is used will benefit everyone.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
A package of support to help the alcohol sector to grow will tomorrow (1 February) take effect.
Draught relief increase worth £85m comes into force tomorrow – cutting 1p duty off draft pints
Increase to small producer relief to help small breweries innovate will support economic growth
Follows announcement of future consultation to improve access to guest beers to support sector growth mission
Draught relief has increased to knock 1p off duty on draught products whilst small producer relief – a measure to encourage craft brewers to innovate – is becoming more generous.
Together these tax cuts are worth £85 million and are tailored to support the alcohol sector to innovate and grow.
The increase to draught relief, first announced at Autumn Budget, will affect around three in five of all alcoholic drinks sold in pubs, and represents the first duty cut on a pint of beer in 10 years.
This is part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change that will rebuild Britain for the future by boosting economic growth.
Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray said:
Our pubs and brewers are an essential part the fabric of the UK and our brilliant high streets. Through draught relief, small producer relief, and expanding market access for smaller brewers, we will help boost sector growth and deliver our Plan for Change to put more money in working people’s pockets.
Richard Naisby, Chair of the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) said:
The Government’s increased investment in Draught Relief means that draught beer sold in our community pubs has a lower rate of alcohol duty than beer sold in supermarkets and should encourage more people to support their local. At the same time by going further on Small Producer Relief, the Government can help small breweries to compete and grow their businesses.
While these support schemes have kick started innovation and enabled small breweries to set up, many breweries struggle to get access to the vital pubs market so they can expand. The Government’s review will examine ways to address these access issues and ensure that landlords can access the beers their customers want and small breweries can grow.
Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray visited the Queen Edith pub in Cambridge to welcome the incoming tax relief alongside Andy Slee, Chief Executive of the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) and Richard Naisby, Chair of SIBA and Founder and Managing Director of the Milton Brewery.
The Minister discussed during his visit in depth various growth measures to help the sector, including an increase in the generosity of small producer relief. This cuts duty for the UK’s smallest, most innovative breweries and cider makers by up to more than 90%, further supporting growth.
James Murray also discussed how the government will consult in the future to encourage small brewers to retain and expand their access to UK pubs, maximising drinkers’ choice and supporting local economic growth, including through provisions to enable more ‘guest beers’.
Fees charged by the Spirit Drinks Verification Scheme will be reduced in the future and mandatory duty stamps for spirits will come to an end from 1 May 2025. This will help distilleries, including Scotch whisky makers, badge their products, increasing their chances to sell their products through pubs and supermarkets.
As announced at the Autumn Budget, alcohol duty has today also been increased in line with inflation. This helps sure up public finances and helps to fund the investment needed to grow the economy and fund public services.
More information:
Draught relief means alcohol duty on draught products below 8.5% ABV will be cut by 1.7% in cash terms (5.1% compared to the baseline RPI uprating). This is the equivalent of a 1p duty reduction on an average 4.58% pint.
Small producer relief (SPR) is available for products
At the Autumn Budget, the government agreed to achieve parity in SPR discount for draught and non-draught products by increasing the generosity of the relief for non-draught products.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments
The Charity Commission has launched two separate statutory inquiries into SharedImpact and SharedImpact Foundation (UK) Limited.
The two charities were set up to improve the financial efficiency and effectiveness of charities by offering grants, financial services and advice.
The charities have a trustee in common and both have persistently and repeatedly failed to meet their accounting requirements.
SharedImpact and SharedImpact Foundation (UK) Limited were previously placed in the Charity Commission’s double defaulter class inquiry in March 2021. That inquiry investigates charities that have defaulted twice or more over the past 5 years on submitting required accounting information.
The Charity Commission has escalated its engagement with the charities to two separate statutory inquiries due to both charities failing to file accounts on time for financial years ending 31 March 2022 and 31 March 2023.
The inquiries will examine the administration, governance, and management of the individual charities including:
the trustees’ compliance with their statutory accounting and reporting responsibilities
whether the charities have appropriate and robust financial controls in place
whether the charities are being managed in accordance with their governing document
whether the charities are operating in accordance with their stated objects and for the public benefit
Additionally, the inquiry into SharedImpact will examine whether the charity has a sufficient number of trustees.
The Commission may extend the scope of the inquiries if additional regulatory issues emerge.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society.
On 22 March 2021, the Commission placed SharedImpact and SharedImpact Foundation (UK) Limited into the ‘Double Defaulter’ inquiry for charities that are in default of their statutory obligations to meet reporting requirements by failing to file their annual documents (annual returns, reports and accounts) for two or more years in the last five years.
On 13 December 2024, the Charity Commission opened two statutory inquiries into SharedImpact and SharedImpact Foundation (UK) Limited under section 46 of the Charities Act 2011.
A statutory inquiry is a legal power enabling the Commission to formally investigate matters of regulatory concern within a charity and to use protective powers for the benefit of the charity and its beneficiaries, assets, or reputation. An inquiry will investigate and establish the facts of the case so that the Commission can determine the extent of any misconduct and/or mismanagement; the extent of the risk to the charity, its work, property, beneficiaries, employees or volunteers; and decide what action is needed to resolve the concerns.
They were recently blessed by local kaikarakia along with another seven homes in nearby Onekawa. The seven homes on Taradale Road are single story, two-bedroom homes and are on a main arterial route, close to schools and workplaces.
Naomi Whitewood Regional Director East North Island says “We are looking forward to welcoming another 19 whānau into new homes in the next couple of weeks. We know that having a warm, dry place to call home can make such a huge difference to people’s lives.
“There is a strong demand for housing in Napier including demand for homes close to the central city. The modern three-storey apartments on Wellesley Road address this need and contribute to future apartment living options in Napier city.
“We take a careful approach to matching homes to whānau requiring a home of that size and location with consideration of the neighbouring community.
In Wellesley Road, the apartments are within walking distance of the central city including supermarkets and health services. This was an important consideration when purchasing the development and matching people to the apartments.
Napier is an area of focus in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s Public Housing Plan. It has a significant housing need in relation to population size.
Progress is being made, with 755 people moved into a Kāinga Ora house last year. This includes 261 tamariki who moved into a long-term home from unsuitable housing. “We continue to focus on ensuring our mokopuna have a healthy, long-term place in which to grow.”
In the last four years 221 homes were delivered by Kāinga Ora in Napier and 610 in the wider Hawkes Bay. This includes 15 homes in Onekawa that were completed in December just in time for whanau to move in before Christmas.
Currently another 152 new social houses are planned to be delivered for Kāinga Ora in Napier. Of these, 101 houses are expected to be delivered in 2025, and 51 in 2026.
The first Privacy News of 2025 covers the release of the Biometrics Code and how to give feedback on this, a new case note about personal information being published to a website, and the introduction of OPC’s Mori reference panel. There is also a notice about new translations of our privacy brochures – we now offer them in Traditional and Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese. Read the January 2025 issue.
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is a key priority for our Government, and boosting pothole repairs and prevention will deliver a safe and efficient state highway network that will support this growth. “One of the reasons this Government was elected was because people were fed up with the degradation of our roads under Labour. They could see it in their day-to-day lives, with record numbers of potholes peppering highways across the country. Our Government promised change to Kiwis and the freight sector, and we are delivering on that promise. “To sort out the potholes, we established a $3.9 billion Pothole Prevention Activity Class over three years, ringfenced for resealing, rehabilitation, and drainage maintenance works to ensure these funds are used entirely on preventing potholes. The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is now delivering a significant programme of works, including a record increase in road rehabilitation, which involves rebuilding entire sections of road rather than just resealing. “The Government’s Pothole Prevention Fund is delivering a total of 285.6 lane kilometres of rehabilitation work over the summer months – a 124 per cent increase compared to last year. This record level of rehabilitation work will help prevent potholes from forming in the first place. “The previous government showed Kiwis that throwing more money at a problem is lazy, expensive, and ineffective. Funding must be paired with increased expectation and accountabilities, and that is what we’ve introduced to drive better results. Faster pothole repairs are improving the safety and maintenance standards on our roads.” In July last year, the Government introduced targets for NZTA contractors to repair 95 per cent of potholes on main state highways and 85 per cent of potholes on regional state highways within 24 hours of identification. “The results speak for themselves. Since our targets were introduced, NZTA has delivered every month with greater use of new innovations to ensure that temporary pothole repairs last longer before a permanent reseal can take place, instead of simply placing cold mix in potholes,” Mr Bishop says. “Achieving these targets month after month shows the significant progress we’ve made in tackling the pothole issue. Kiwis can now travel more safely and efficiently on our roads, with fewer disruptions and safety hazards. “If you see a pothole on the state highway network, report it immediately by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS. Together, Kiwis are ensuring that potholes are identified and repaired as quickly as possible.” Notes to editor:
NZTA has delivered on the Government’s 24 hour pothole repair targets each month since they were introduced, exceeding the targets set in July.
Month Total Potholes Repaired % Repaired Within 24 Hours
Jul-24 7,114 95%
Aug-24 6,303 98%
Sep-24 5,030 98%
Oct-24 4,809 98%
Nov-24 3,200 99%
Dec-24 1,697 98%
Potholes tend to be formed in wet conditions, which is why there are a higher number requiring repair in winter months.
The Pothole Prevention Activity Class includes $2 billion of funding for State Highway Pothole Prevention over three years, and $1.9 billion for local road Pothole Prevention over three years. The number of kilometres of rehabilitation work on state highways as part of the 2024/25 summer maintenance programme compared to the previous programme: The summer maintenance programme began in October 2024 and will be completed by March 2025.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force have arrested a man in relation to a drug seizure that occurred in Katherine yesterday.
On Thursday 30 January, the Northern Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk, with the assistance of the Dog Operations Unit and Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch executed a search warrant at a residence in Katherine South.
A 50-year-old man was arrested following the seizure of 1.2kg of cannabis, 19 bottles of rum, 123 cans of beer and a quantity of cash.
The alleged offender has been charged with the Supply Schedule 2 Dangerous drug – Commercial Quantity, Possess Schedule 2 Dangerous Drug – Commercial Quantity and Unauthorised Sale of Liquor.
He has been remanded to appear in Katherine Location Court on today.
Detective Senior Sergeant Byron May said “The seizure of these items will have a significant impact towards the reduction of alcohol-related harm and anti-social behaviour in the community. Northern Territory Police will continue to target those who seek to profit from exploiting the vulnerable people in our community.”
Anyone with information on the supply of alcohol or drugs to our communities can call police on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.